While I was dead set on getting the Elecraft KX3 fully loaded, I decided that if reining in the budget, a single QRP rig was not worth all the other gear (antenna ideas) that I wanted to invest in. So I went with my second choice, the RS-918SSB mcHF v0.6 clone “Recent/Risecomm” RS-918SSB. It was a tie with the Xiegu X5105, but that mcHF screen!

Shiny new mcHF clone.

I am fully aware of the politics behind this radio but found that the original m0nka v0.6 kit is no longer available. He’s focusing on an entirely different form factor that does not appeal to me.

In addition, I was able to save that money to acquire lots of other imporant items: a couple of hamsticks, a shiny new Kenwood DH-TH74A for APRS and D-Star work, a mini paddle key from American Morse, and a Bioenno LiFePO4 battery with solar controller and 2A LiFePO4 charger. I also ordered a military pole 36ft portable mast for my field and base station plans. All this and more by exercising a little bit of frugality against my Elecraft lust.

Kenwood TH-D74A and Bourbon

I was also able to get a Smiley Antenna Tri-band Whip antenna for the Kenwood, which enables amazing 220 resonance in addition to great gain on 440 and solid performance on 2 meters. (For when I am not attaching the Kenwood to my car mobile antenna.)

All in all, it was an exercise in cost-benefit analysis. I had certain goals, e.g. to get a primary APRS mobile setup while commuting, and also a very portable “EDC” (everyday carry) HF rig.

While the KX3 is in a class of its own with regard to receive filtering, modularity, and overall quality of radio, I thought I could live with a rig in equal (or smaller) size that enabled me to get on the air with more watts (15w vs. 10 on the KX3), a sweet touchscreen color display with much more info, daily CW practice without having to lug around my FT-857D, and less than a quarter of the price of the KX3 (picked it up for $450 with shipping vs. $2000 quoted from Elecraft website).

And with this, I’m now on D-Star, a digital mode I wanted to know more about, am able to work packet (via KISS bluetooth or USB on the Kenwoond TH-D74A), explore Winlink, ultimately get out there and work stations– on 2 more rigs with supporting gear!

It’s so cool to be positioning with APRS, and so far have made 300+ mile CW contacts from a crowded parking lot on 40m CW.

And with about $800 to spare!

So you tell me… Did I make the right choice? I’ve always heard it said that QRP is a luxury once you get your “real rig” established. In an EMCOMM situation. you’ll wish you had that extra power. I tried to choose the most versatility with the options before me.

Maybe one day I may still get the KX3. But it will be after gaining much wisdom having explored so many other aspects of ham radio.

4 Replies to “Choosing the Next Rig”

The novelty has worn off, and I use it now as a backup rig. I have not figured out the discrepancy of transmit power, it will go to the full 15w on 40m, but that quickly drops to about 5w max on 20m. Also, there’s an offset I’ve not been able to adjust, so when transmitting on CW, I need to go about 400khz up from my target frequency. I am sure these are all in documentation, but being an opensource (and older) version of the software, there’s not much help there. Overall, it’s a nice rig, but I work more with my QRO rig these days. Thanks for your comment!

Thanks for your comment, Kevin. The X5105 is a mighty fine rig, and doing it all over again I would have gone with that (esp with the SWR analyzer and that internal ATU!). I just got seduced by that SDR screen and waterfall.